Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley.
A recent study conducted by Dalhousie University in Halifax revealed that it is very expensive to keep a gluten-free diet. In the study, the prices of all food products labelled “gluten-free” were compared to their gluten-containing equivalent. 56 gluten-free products were found to be more expensive than regular products, and on average, the cost was 242% more. As a result of the study, celiac advocacy groups are lobbying the government for financial compensation for those afflicted with celiac disease.